Vegan Rhubarb Muffins with a Hint of Vanilla
Ingredients for 12 Muffins:
- 400-450g (about 3–3½ cups) peeled rhubarb
- 2 flaxseed eggs (each: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp lukewarm water; let sit for 10 minutes)
- 120ml (½ cup) canola oil
- 300g (2½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 100g (½ cup) xylitol
- 5g (1½ tsp) ground bourbon vanilla
- 150ml (⅔ cup) oat milk
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 packet (2 tsp) baking powder
- Wash the rhubarb thoroughly, peel it, and cut it into about ½-inch cubes.
- Prepare the flaxseed eggs by mixing the ground flaxseed with lukewarm water and letting it sit for about 10 minutes until thickened.
- In a large bowl, combine the canola oil, flaxseed eggs, and xylitol, and mix well until smooth.
- Add the flour, salt, and baking powder, and mix into a smooth batter. Then stir in the oat milk until the batter is soft and well combined.
- Fold in the ground bourbon vanilla and most of the rhubarb.
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350°F) (convection) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- Evenly distribute the batter into the liners. Sprinkle the remaining rhubarb on top and gently press it into the batter.
- Bake for about 45–60 minutes, until golden brown. Use a toothpick to check if the muffins are fully baked.
Sources:
Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J., & Czepas, J. (2025). Rhubarb as a Potential Component of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet. Foods, 14(24), 4219. Source
Rhubarb has been used for over 2,000 years and is considered one of the oldest known medicinal plants, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For example, the root of Rheum palmatum was used to treat constipation, gastritis, and inflammation, while Rheum officinale was applied in the treatment of fever, gastrointestinal disorders, and even chronic kidney failure. In other regions, root pastes of Rheum emodi were used for rheumatism and muscle pain, and the leaves of Rheum acuminatum for diarrhea and headaches. Special preparations, such as roots of Rheum rhaponticum cooked in wine, were traditionally used to relieve digestive issues or to improve the voice (Kolodziejczyk-Czepas & Czepas, 2025).